Hamilton based multi-disciplinary artist Kinga Żak will perform in Hamilton’s annual Romani event in celebration of Sara e Kali, the patron saint of the Romani people. Żak will perform a traditional Romani dance to a song by Roma band, Teresa Mirga i Kałe Bała, entitled “Taraf”. This year’s Sara e Kali event will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 12pm to 5pm at Confederation Park’s Willow Cove Pavillion located at 680 Van Wagners Beach Rd, Hamilton, ON. This is a free community event. All are welcome. Żak performed at Hamilton’s Romani Day celebrations at The Westdale in April 2025.

Żak became the co-director of the official music video of “Taraf” when she travelled back to her birthplace of Poland in 2023. Żak first met with Roma musician Teresa Mirga for a workshop and they then became artistic collaborators on the short film “Shame”. Żak was then inspired to co-direct with Roma filmmaker Delfin Łakatosz a music video for the Teresa Mirga i Kałe Bała song “Taraf”. “Taraf” was an official selection at this year’s Toronto Short Film Festival and will be screened later this year at the Venice Shorts Awards in the United States, Paris Women Cinefest in France and London Women Film Festival in the United Kingdom. You can also currently enjoy “Taraf” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkF7UEcBVNs.

“Taraf” is a moving story about wandering, longing and inner torment. The song is a physical and spiritual journey with lyrics written by Teresa Mirga. “Taraf” explores universal questions about what drives a person to wander and what makes one want to go home. “Where will I go? Where will I go? Which way will I go home.” These words, in their simplicity, resonate with anyone who has ever tried to find their place in the world. Mirga’s pure voice, combine with the melancholic melody of the Romanian Roma, brought to life by the members of her Kałe Bała band. The atmospheric music video, created by Delfin Łakatosz, Kinga Żak and Noemi Łakatosz visually reflects the emotions of the song. The music video premiered on November 20, 2024.

“Working on the video was a beautiful, spontaneous, and rewarding artistic collaboration. “Taraf” is a song that not only delights, but also inspires inner reflection on your personal journey in both the material and spiritual world. Teresa Mirga i Kałe Bała is constantly developing artistically, remaining faithful to its roots, and at the same time opening up to new forms of expression,” says Żak.

Żak’s short film “Shame” will premiere at the 2025 Hamilton Film Festival. Żak’s journey took her through dance, song, nature and art. Her film is an allegory of her search to find a place to be real. There may even be monsters.

“I sold my house in 2022 and quit my job and invested all my money in making art. After studying art therapy, I understood that art functions not as a commodity, but more importantly as a self-reflection and healing mechanism that facilitates growth in me as an individual. I am far more interested in investing in that kind of growth than anything a bank could have offered,” says Żak.

SARA E KALI FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/SaraKaliHamilton

FULL PRESS RELEASE: https://lylamiklos.com/…/05/Press-Release-Kinga-Zak.pdf

Hamilton Roma Hub

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